James F. O'Gorman is Grace Slack McNeil Professor of the History of American Art at Wellesley College and author
of more than a dozen books on architecture and art history.
Review
"Thank goodness for James F. O'Gorman, who has given us this refreshingly clear guide to the indispensable
convergence of art and science we call architecture."
--Forbes
"[O'Gorman's] mastery of the subject shows in his straightforward, lucid prose."
--Publishers Weekly
"James O'Gorman's ABC of Architecture takes its rightful place among the few paragons this century of clear
and direct introductions to the field."
--Robert Venturi
University of Pennsylvania Press Web Site, August, 2000
Summary
ABC of Architecture is an accessible, nontechnical introduction to architectural structure, history, and criticism.
Author James F. O'Gormon moves seamlessly from a discussion of the most basic inspiration for architecture (the
need for shelter from the elements), to an exploration of space, system, and material, and, finally, to an examination
of the language and history of architecture. He shows the nonspecialist how to read a design in plans, sections,
and elevations, and how architects, like other artists, make creative use of space and light.
Enhanced with 53 line drawings, ABC of Architecture contains a glossary and a list of further readings for those
many students and enthusiasts whose curiosity will surely be piqued by this engaging work.
